In Russia, Interactive Maps Show How St. Petersburg’s Bridges Open

A navigation app now lets users watch — and even control — 3D animations of the city’s iconic drawbridges.

A Russian navigation app has added a feature that shows animations of St. Petersburg’s bridges opening. Users of the 2GIS interactive maps can watch the Palace, Trinity, Blagoveshchensky, Alexander Nevsky, Exchange, and Liteiny bridges rise, all according to schedule. During the day, the bridges appear closed, and at night, they are shown open.

Users can also “play” with 3D bridges by raising them manually with a single click. The new feature has already delighted both tourists and locals.

The app’s developers also announced another useful addition: tourists can now view Russian beaches in 3D, complete with lounge chairs, changing rooms, and paddleboard rental points.

Another navigation platform, Yandex Maps, has expanded its features as well. To mark the 65th anniversary of St. Petersburg’s metro, it introduced detailed online models of 12 above-ground station entrances, making it easier for residents and visitors to find their way in.

Modern technology is giving a boost to Russia’s tourism sector. Museums and multimedia parks are offering 3D reconstructions of famous battles, bringing books and paintings to life, and using AI to create audio guides.